Irit Ben-Abba, Ambassador of Israel to China
Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel
Education:
1979-1982 – Graduated Cum Laude from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, majoring in East Asian Studies and in English Linguistics
2003-2005 – MBA, Executive MBA Studies at the Hebrew University
Work Experience:
1976-1978 – Army Service
1983-1985 – Cadet Course in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1985-1986 – Second Secretary in various departments in the Ministry
1986-1989 – Consul, Consulate General of Israel, Hong-Kong
1989-1993 – First Secretary, China Desk, Asia Division
1993-1994 – Counselor, East Asia Division, Asia Department
1994-1996 – DCM, Embassy of Israel, Beijing, China
1996-2000 – Director, South and South East Asia Division, Asia Department
2000-2003 – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Republic of the Philippines
2004 - 2006 - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia
Aug. 2006- Sep. 2007 - Head of the Middle Eastern Economic Affairs Bureau, Economic Affairs Division dealing mainly with Economic and Humanitarian relations with the Palestinians
Sep. 2007 – August 2014- Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Division and Head of the Official Israeli Delegation to the Donors’ Forum to the Palestinians
Aug. 2014-Aug. 2019 – Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Hellenic Republic
Oct. 2019- Special Envoy on Migration
Jan. 2021 to date – Ambassador the state of Israel to the People’s Republic of China and to the Republic of Mongolia
1993 - Honored by the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs With the Prize of Excellence
2003 -Honored by the President of the Philippines with the Prize for the Best Ambassador (Order of Sikatuna)
Languages: Hebrew, English, Italian (partial), French (partial), Chinese (primary)
One son, Avner Ben-Abba